The steady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEP), a neural signature of attentional resource allocation, is enhanced for affective compared to neutral visual scenes. Recently, it has been demonstrated that modulation of early visual cortex associated with viewing of unpleasant scenes presented in a rapid succession relies on emotional content extraction from each individual image shown in a rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP) at 6 Hz (~167 ms per image). Against expectations, the SSVEP was reduced when viewing visual streams of unpleasant compared to neutral scenes. Here, we investigated to what extent that finding was limited to the 6 Hz rate and whether it generalizes to pleasant pictures. We recorded SSVEPs elicited by RSVP of neutral and emotional scenes presented at 3, 4, 6.67, and 8.57 Hz rates. We demonstrated that SSVEP amplitudes were enhanced for unpleasant compared to neutral images with a presentation rate of 3, 4, and 8.57 Hz. By contrast, SSVEP decreased for both pleasant and unpleasant relative to neutral RSVP streams shown at 6.67 Hz. Our findings suggest that a linear superposition of ERPs evoked by each individual image in an RSVP may lead to SSVEP amplitude patterns that increase or decrease the power at the driving frequency, which in turn might produce the observed differential emotional amplitude modulations. The results provide new methodological considerations for investigating temporal dynamics of early visual cortex modulation during sustained perception of affective scenes with SSVEP using RSVP paradigms.
Background: Although excess body weight is linked to post-treatment complications for cancer survivors, obesity rates have increased rapidly among adult cancer survivors. Innovative approaches to weight loss programs, such as via social media, are needed to engage female cancer survivors. The purpose of this study is to explore important components of a Facebook-delivered weight loss program for female cancer survivors. Methods: Female cancer survivors who are overweight or obese and finished active treatment completed a web-based, mixed-methods survey. Results: Participants (N=96) were on average 54.3±9.6 years old, 89% white, 66% obese, and 87% tried to lose weight in the last year. Health concerns were the most important reason (88%) for wanting to lose weight. Barriers to weight loss included other health issues (52%) and perceived sacrifice/burden of weight loss process (35%). Qualitative themes for barriers included inability to make dietary changes (19%), lack of motivation (18%), and physical limitations (13%). Participants were most interested in a weight loss program delivered via Facebook (81%), led by a weight loss counselor (78%), provided healthy recipes (73%) and exercise videos (72%). Qualitative themes included information on cancer treatment effects (25%), calorie tracker (21%), and exercise modifications (17%). Qualitatively, concerns about weight loss included fear of cancer recurrence (20%) and lack of confidence in weight loss efforts (17%).
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.